Common Registration Assessment, Part 1
Ipratropium nebuliser vial doses and daily totals for the GPhC assessment
Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.
Published 6 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.
The manufacturer's UK product information for ipratropium bromide 500 micrograms in 2 ml unit dose vials states that for adults, including the elderly, and adolescents over 12 years the recommended dose is 250 to 500 micrograms, that is one vial of 250 micrograms in 1 ml or one vial of 500 micrograms in 2 ml, taken 3 to 4 times daily.
The same information states that for the treatment of acute bronchospasm the dose is 500 micrograms, that repeated doses can be administered until the patient is stable, and that daily doses exceeding 2 mg in adults and adolescents over 12 years should only be given under medical supervision.
It also states that for children aged 6 to 12 years the dose is 250 micrograms up to a total daily dose of 1 mg, that is 4 vials of 250 micrograms in 1 ml.
Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and distinguish a single dose from a daily total or a supply period. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.
The method
- Identify the stated dose per vial in micrograms and the number of doses each day.
- Multiply the vial strength by the daily vial count for the daily microgram total.
- Convert micrograms to milligrams by dividing by 1,000 when the question asks.
- Keep micrograms, milligrams and vials separate; convert only when the question asks.
Three practice questions
Work each one on paper first, then open the answer. All patients and prescriptions are fictional.
Question 1
A fictional adult takes 500 micrograms of nebulised ipratropium four times daily. How many micrograms is this each day, and what is that in milligrams?
Show the answer
Answer: 2,000 micrograms (2 mg)
Working: 500 micrograms x 4 doses = 2,000 micrograms each day. 2,000 / 1,000 = 2 mg.
Question 2
A fictional adult uses one 500 microgram vial per dose, three times daily. How many vials do they need for 7 days?
Show the answer
Answer: 21 vials
Working: 3 vials each day x 7 days = 21 vials.
Question 3
A fictional child aged 9 takes 250 microgram doses up to the stated maximum total daily dose of 1 mg. Using 250 microgram vials, what is the maximum number of vials in one day?
Show the answer
Answer: 4 vials
Working: 1 mg = 1,000 micrograms. 1,000 / 250 micrograms per vial = 4 vials.
eMC SmPC: Atrovent UDVs, 2 ml
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8028/smpc
Where marks are lost
- Confusing the 250 microgram and 500 microgram vials when counting vials per day.
- Forgetting to convert micrograms to milligrams when the answer is asked in milligrams.
- Applying the adult daily limits to a child aged 6 to 12, where 1 mg is the stated total daily dose.
Frequently asked questions
Are these official assessment questions?
No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.
Does this calculation decide a real ipratropium dose?
No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real nebulised dosing is set by the clinical situation, with repeated doses in acute attacks under medical supervision.
How should I check the answer?
Check the requested unit, then work backwards from the total to the stated vial strength and frequency.
Sources
The questions above are original and use fictional patients and prescriptions. PreRegExamPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Practise until the method is automatic
Try 15 free questions with worked answers. No sign-up required.
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